Come summers and everyone will be looking for a long getaway, away from the scorching high temperatures and hustle-bustle of the inland-city life. With mercury rising to unprecedented heights in India, everyone will be looking for places to visit in summer in India. From the lofty peaks in the Himalayas to the Blue Mountains and the Andaman Islands in the south, and from the Western Ghats to the eastern extents of Himalayas in the north eastern states; India has a lot of options to help you chill out.

For those who haven’t narrowed down on the options to consider, choose from the 20 perfect destinations to spend your summer holidays in India.

Summer Holiday Destinations in North India

1. Ladakh – A thrilling holiday destination

For those who need a thrilling destination for their summer holidays in India, Ladakh is the ultimate getaway. With a myriad of interesting best places to visit in Ladakh, you can be sure of an amazing vacation. The mighty mountain peaks, the breath-taking views, the stunning lakes, and the perfect weather makes it a perfect vacation destination.

2. Srinagar – Heaven on earth

Srinagar, the summer capital, is the best among the places to visit in Kashmir. Popular for its Shikara rides, floating gardens, and serene beauty, the city has been regarded as cash-cow of J & K. The city has enjoyed importance since historic times and rulers have forever been attempting to win the paradise city for themselves. At the moment, it is one of the most loved tourist places in India in summer.

3. Manali – Backpacker’s paradise

Manali is a popular backpacking and honeymoon destination in Himachal Pradesh. With the numerous popular places to visit in Manali, it has been one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in India. Nestled idyllically amidst the Pir Panjal & Dhauladhar Range of the Himalayas, Manali remains to be a popular honeymoon destination in north India. But it holds an equally important position among those who are looking for adventure activities or holy places.

4. Nainital – The land of tals and devis

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Situated in the lap of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 1,938 m above the sea-level, Nainital is one of the prime summer holiday destinations in India. The quaint hill-station is often pictured as a forested valley amidst which lies a beautiful lake. Though the list of places to visit in Nainital is pretty long, the Naini Lake and the Naina Devi Temple attract the maximum number of tourists. Surely, you cannot think of summer vacation in India without Nainital.

5. Dharamshala – Abode of Dalai Lama

For those who seek to spend the summers in India among the picturesque hills, Dharamshala is another great destination. Its temples and monasteries make it stand out among the places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. The town is best known internationally as the home of Dalai Lama of Tibet. Since the introduction of ODIs and IPL T20s at the HPCA stadium, the hill station has been attracting a lot of regular sports enthusiasts from across the globe. The hill-station is also going to be the first smart-city of Himachal Pradesh.

6. Mussoorie – The undoubted queen of hills

Mussoorie, an extremely popular destination to spend your summer vacations in India, becomes quite crowded in summers. The varied flora and the lush green hilly lands attract a lot of tourists to the little fairyland. From shopping on Mall Road to ropeway cable car to Gun Hill, and from Kempty Falls to the Jwalaji Temple; the summer destination has a lot to offer to its visitors.

Summer Holiday Destination in Central India

7. Pachmarhi – The gorgeous Satpura ki Rani

The only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, Pachmarhi is among the lesser known summer holiday destinations in India. In addition to sightseeing, trekking and leisure activities can be enjoyed here. The decently high hills, forest gorges, stunning waterfalls, prehistoric caves, and rock paintings at Pachmarhi attract a lot of tourists every year.

Things to do: Boating at Pachmarhi Lake, bathing in the Apsara Vihar pond, and exploring the Pandava Caves

How to reach:

By Air: Bhopal airstrip (195 km from Pachmarhi)

By Rail: Pipariya Railway Station (47 km from Pachmarhi)

Summer Holiday Destinations in South India

8. Munnar – Home to breathtaking spice plantations

A perfect destination to spend your summer holidays in India, Munnar is famous for its salubrious climate, lush hills, and vast expanse of tea plantations. With a myriad of things to do in Munnar, the hill station from God’s Own Country – Kerala – is sure to make your vacations an ultimate peaceful and rejuvenating affair.

9. Kodaikanal – Popularly known as the Princess of Hill Stations

Kodaikanal is to Bangaloreans what Nainital is to Delhiites or what Darjeeling is to Kolkatans. Meadows, grasslands, waterfalls, valleys, forests, and lakes of the quaint hill station of Tamil Nadu make it one of the most popular summer holiday destination in India from the peninsula. From boat rides to treks, and from cycle rides to yoga; Kodaikanal has a lot of experiences to offer to its tourists.

Things to do: Experience Brocken Spectre at Coakers’ Walk, ride a rowboat or pedalo at Kodaikanal Boat Club, cycle around the Kodai Lake, take a trek to Kukkal Caves, and practice yoga at the Kodaikanal Yoga Centre

How to reach

By Air: Madurai Airport (120 km from Kodaikanal)

By Rail: Palani Railway Station (66 km from Kodaikanal)

10. Ooty – One of few toy-train cities in India

Udhagamandalam, or Ooty, is another prime destination in Tamil Nadu to spend your summer holidays in India. Located in the Nilgiri Blue Mountains hills, the hill station is often called the Queen of Hills. The famous toy train takes you through the nearby lush hills. The little hill station also offers a lot of places to visit and adventure activities to its visitors.

11. Coorg – Scotland of India

Nestled amidst the lush valleys of the Western Ghats, Coorg is one of the most affluent summer holiday destinations in India. It offers a lot to the tourists in form of the various places to visit in Coorg. Thanks to its verdant beauty and pleasant weather conditions, the hill station is often referred as the Scotland of India.

Things to do: Camping near Nalknad Palace, River Rafting in Barapole River, Jeep Safari to Kabbe Hills, Trekking to Nishani Hills, taking a Microlight flight at Chelavara, ziplining, and angling in River Kaveri

Horsley Hills is a series of hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The hill station gets its name from the British collector – W.D Horsley – who built his home here in 1870. The locals, however, call the hill Yenugu Mallamma Konda after a saintly old woman who lived on top of the hill and was fed by elephants (yenugula).

Sunny skies, golden beaches, turquoise waters, and untouched environs make Andaman islands your perfect go-to destination during summer holidays in India. In addition to the scrumptious food and stunning views offered here, there are many places to visit in Andaman. To explore these places, book your Andaman trip right away.

Summer Holiday Destinations in West India

14. Mount Abu – A picturesque ‘oasis in the desert’

A hill station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, Mount Abu remains to be west India’s best entry to the list of summer holiday destinations in India. Referred to as an oasis in the desert, it is home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and evergreen forests. From hills to lake, fort to temples – Mount Abu has a little for every kind of traveler.

15. Mahabaleshwar – An ideal summer retreat near Mumbai & Pune

Perched atop a height of 1,372 m above the sea level, Mahabaleshwar is another ultimate getaway for the summer holidays in India. The breath-taking views of the valleys and mountains, the colonial buildings, verdant forests, sparkling rivers, sonorous waterfalls, and Pratapgarh hill fort have been major crowd pullers. The scenic hill station is, without doubt, an ideal retreat away from the hustle-bustle and the punishing weather of Mumbai.

Summer Holiday Destinations in East India

16. Shillong – A quaint town surrounded by rolling hills

For those considering the north-eastern states to spend summer holidays in India, Shillong is arguably the best option. The lush hills with pine trees, shimmering lakes, mystical waterfalls, and adventure activities offered make Shillong a major tourist attraction. As an added advantage, Shillong is the only hill station in India that is accessible from all sides.

17. Tawang – A surreal and rather unexplored town in Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang is one of the most sought after destinations to spend your summers in India. The imposing 14th century Tawang Monastery has been a major pilgrimage center and tourist attraction. With Buddhist monasteries and mystical gompas on one end and war memorial on the other, the quaint hill station from Arunachal Pradesh has magic imbued in every nook and corner.

18. Gangtok – The shimmering capital city of Sikkim

Gangtok, the urban settlement and capital city of Sikkim, is another summer destination in India. With monasteries, leisure activities, and adventure activities, Gangtok has every reason to be your perfect summer getaway.

19. Kalimpong – The legacy of the colonial era

Darjeeling and Kalimpong are the best entries from West Bengal in our list of summer destinations in India. But what gives Kalimpong an edge over Darjeeling is that it is untouched and less frequently visited by people. So, for those looking for a quiet summer getaway, Kalimpong is for you. Sitting on a ridge overlooking the Teesta River, the hill station is a perfect summer destination owing to its pleasant climate, magnificent views, and proximity to other tourist attractions.

By Rail: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in Silguri (77 km from Kalimpong)

20. Darjeeling – Home to Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain

Towered by the majestic Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters above sea level) and surrounded by the emerald-green tea plantations, Darjeeling is among the best hill stations in India. Ride in the cute toy train through the Himalayas, walk through the tea gardens of Dooars, watch the sun setting behind the Tiger Hill or simply relax in the Revolver Hotel of West Bengal; there is a lot to do on your trip to Darjeeling.